physics

15 Subatomic Word Origins

The names for many of the dozens of particles that make up the universe—as well as a few that are still purely theoretical—come from ancient Greek.

NSF/LIGO/Sonoma State University/A. Simonnet

Astronomers Observe a New Kind of Massive Cosmic Collision for the First Time

"For me, it feels like the dawning of a next era in astrophysics."

Why a Howling Wind Sounds So Spooky, According to Science

Creepy dead trees actually play a part in the phenomenon.

2017 Ig Nobel Prizes Celebrate Research on How Crocodiles Affect Gambling and Other Odd Studies

It's hard to pick a favorite from these off-the-wall studies exploring topics like whether cats can be both solid and liquid, the physics of walking backwards with coffee, and the brain activity of people who are grossed out by cheese.

17 Little-Known Facts About Max Planck

He invented a new branch of physics. He also loved playing tag.

United States Department of Energy // Public Domain

Watch Richard Feynman in Conversation, 1973

In "Take the World from Another Point of View," the physicist visits England with his family.

NASA Figures Out Why When It Rains, It (Sometimes) Drizzles

The study could help improve weather forecasts.

Watch Richard Feynman Explain Fire

"Fire is stored sunshine."

How to Make More Basketball Shots, According to Physics

Go slow.

Watch How To Make a Self-Starting Siphon Using Bendy Straws

File under "Handy stuff you can do with bendy straws."

Why Do Cans of Diet Coke Float While Regular Coke Sinks?

Spoiler alert: It involves sugar.

5 Surprising Things That Have Broken the Speed of Sound

It's not only aircraft that break the sound barrier.

Serving a crowd? Break out the pizza cutter and prepare to do some math.

7 Food and Drink Hacks Based on Math and Science

When it comes to getting the most out of your favorite meals, the hungriest minds in the fields of math and science have got your back.

7 Food and Drink Hacks Based on Math and Science

When it comes to getting the most out of your favorite meals, the hungriest minds in the fields of math and science have got your back.

CuttyP at the German language Wikipedia // CC-BY-SA-3.0

Watch: Free-Fallin' in Bremen's Zero-G Drop Tower

It's cheaper than going to space.

The Top 10 Science Stories of 2016

It's been a big year.

See the Damage Those Home Alone Booby Traps Would Do in Real Life

Harry and Marv shouldn't have made it out alive.

How to Prevent Static Cling This Winter

You’re not powerless against the sticky phenomenon.

A Large Hadron Collider LEGO Set May Become a Reality

Designed by a physics PhD student, the tiny model could be made into a real-life LEGO design.

Will NASA Be Able to Stop a Real-Life Armageddon?

First we find it. Then we try to move it. And if that doesn't work, we blow it up.

Watch the Shockwave Caused by This Hammer Breaking a Mirror in Slow Motion

The speed, movement, and chaos of everyday events are sometimes impossible to appreciate with the naked eye.

Have We Detected Hundreds of Signals From Extraterrestrial Life?

The astronomical community is reacting with measured skepticism to a new paper making bold claims.

15 Swinging Facts About Léon Foucault (and His Pendulum)

7. He was chummy with Napoleon III.

Check Out This Year's Nobel Prize Winners in Science

This year, the Nobel Prize celebrated research on molecular machines, cells' recycling mechanisms, and discoveries about unusual states of matter.